Surname Leibold - Meaning and Origin
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Leibold: What does the surname Leibold mean?
The last name Leibold is an old German name derived from the Middle High German word "lîbalt," meaning "beloved person." It is a surname closely associated with the Palatinate region of Germany.
The earliest known bearer of the name is Laurence Leibolt, who was recorded as a tavern owner in 1806. Subsequent generations of Leibolds began to spread out across Europe, mostly settling in Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. In the late 19th century, there was a strong migration of Leibolds to the United States and Canada.
Today, the name Leibold is still primarily associated with Germany. However, it is common to find bearers of the name in countries such as France, the Netherlands, and the United States.
The name Leibold is strongly associated with hard work and perseverance. These qualities come from the Germanic understanding of the name as "beloved person," thereby implying that the bearer of the name was liked and respected by their peers.
For centuries, Leibolds have lived up to their namesake and strived for excellence in their respective disciplines. They are a testament to the moniker's original meaning and their determination to elevate the name.
Order DNA origin analysisLeibold: Where does the name Leibold come from?
The last name Leibold is a German surname, and it is still found in some parts of Central Europe. The name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and in small numbers in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The highest concentration of people with the last name Leibold is located in the northern states of Germany such as Thuringia, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt.
Additionally, Leibold can be found in the German diaspora that has spread to other regions of the world, including the United States of America. In the United States, Leibolds can be found in states such as Pennsylvania, Colorado, and New York.
The meaning of the surname is unclear. It means "lion-bold," but it is not clear what the symbolism was. It could be that the initials were combined to form a name, or that there was a specific meaning attached to the surname.
Other variations of the surname are Liebelt, Leible, Liebald, Leibl, and Lieb. Cohabiting families of Leibolds were given the same last name and this is the reason why the name can be found in such large frequencies in Germany. The spelling of the name has also changed over time, which is likely to have added to its spread through German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Leibold
The surname Leibold is an uncommon but widespread name. It originates from two sources: Germans and Jews.
The most common spelling is Leibold, which is derived from the German words ‘Leibe’, which means body, and ‘Golt’ which means gold. This spelling is shared by both German and Jewish families.
Alternative spellings for the surname include Leibolt, Liebold, Liebhold, Liebholdt, Leybold, Liebhold and Leyboldt. These variants are mainly found in German speaking areas.
The Jewish surnames of Leibold, Leybov, and Leybovich or Leibovich, all originate from a Hebrew word for heart. These are typically found in Russian speaking areas.
Other variants of the surname Leibold include those with a prefix or suffix such as Leibelt and Leibell. These spellings include an added ‘t’ or ‘l’ on the end of the word.
In some regions, the surname has been altered in spelling or pronunciations to create additional surnames. Examples include Libet, Libote, and Szlibold. These variants are mainly found outside of German and Jewish regions.
Regardless of the spelling or origin, each variant of the surname Leibold can be traced back to an individual family history.
Famous people with the name Leibold
- Matthias Leibold: He is a professional football player who currently plays for VfL Wolfsburg.
- Nick Leibold: American baseball player playing center fielder who currently plays for New York Yankees.
- Carsten Leibold: German footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga club Stuttgarter Kickers.
- Michael Leibold: former German ice hockey player.
- Herbert Leibold: prominent German Roman Catholic theologian.
- Peter Leibold: German journalist and author.
- Ryan Leibold: American music artist and songwriter.
- Thomas Leibold: German actor.
- Wolfram Leibold: German hurdler who won a silver medal at the 1997 Summer Universiade in Italy.
- Stephanie Leibold: German rower who represented Germany in women's quadruple sculls at the 2016 Summer Olympics.